Yes, I think it's safe to say Cruden has clearly over-taken Slade now and hopefully he becomes Carter's full backup when he's back to full fitness and they don't go back to Slade.

I'm picking an 8 point win to the All Blacks. 24-16.

Yeah, he was told he had cancer at the age of 19 and he's now an All Black three years later. That sort of determination/maturity probably puts him in better stead to cope with the sort of pressure involved in a game like this. Collin Slade was even quite flakey against Japan.

This back line would surely rate as one of the best ever if Carter was in at 10.

Reckon despite Weepu being a very very talented player he still lacks in fitness and discipline so puts him at a lower standard than a few of the other great NZ 9s. Never know where he could be in a few years time though.